Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United and their fans are ready to “bring the fire” and make Old Trafford intimidating for Liverpool’s visit on Sunday.
United have had an uneven start to the Premier League, beating Fulham in their first game and losing at Brighton last week. Last season, Ten Hag’s team were unbeaten against Liverpool, drawing home and away in the league and knocking their fiercest rival out of the FA Cup. The latter, 4-3 victory came at home when supporters created a feverish atmosphere. The manager was asked if the fans again need to make it a hot environment for Arne Slot’s side.
“I think that’s often the case,” Ten Hag said, “and I’m sure the fans are ready for it and together with us to take the fire to this good challenge. The fans are excited, the team is excited and in togetherness we will go for it.”
Two years ago Liverpool were United’s third league opponent at home, Ten Hag’s side beating them 2-1, a win that followed the loss of the first two matches under the Dutchman.
When asked then how Liverpool could be beaten after defeats to Brighton and Brentford, Ten Hag gave a pithy answer regarding his players, saying “because they can play good football”. In that case, given the ongoing questions about his side’s style, are United better now?
“That is very subjective,” he responded. “There’s only one thing in football: that’s about the end of the season, if you win prizes, trophies or not – and after [Manchester] City we won the most trophies in English football.”
Ten Hag has guided United to win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his two years in charge but does not receive enough credit for those achievements. “I don’t care if I get the credit or I don’t get the credit,” the manager said.
“I had to build this club [up again]. We brought young players in, we progressed young players, we won trophies, so what can I do more? As far as I know, the fans are happy with me, but it’s not about me, it’s about Man United, and of course we set higher targets, we have very high ambitions, the club, the leadership, the team definitely. So everyone sees the potential, and now we have to work very hard to achieve the targets.”
For the corresponding fixture with Liverpool two years ago Ten Hag dropped Harry Maguire as the then captain lost his automatic starting berth. The following summer the manager took the armband from the centre-back, yet Maguire has since fought his way back into Ten Hag’s plans.
On Thursday Maguire was recalled to the England squad by Lee Carsley, the interim manager, after missing Euro 2024 due to injury, but Ten Hag was reluctant to affirm that the player is a first choice at United again.
“So we have a squad of more than 11, we can start only 11 players, and we need rotation throughout the season to keep everyone fit, because no one can play all the games,” said Ten Hag. “But Harry Maguire will definitely play an important role for us, and I’m very happy for him that he’s back [England], and it tells something about his performances in the last couple of games.”
